Terms of Reference - Museum Advisory CommitteeMuseum Advisory Committee
Terms of Reference
Mandate:
To make recommendations to Council on policies and procedures pertaining to the
Museum. To participate in strategic planning activities, initiate and participate in
fundraising activities when and as needed, act as ambassadors for the museum within
the community. To work with the Tillsonburg and District Historical Society regarding
trust for artifact purchases and to act as trustees for the restoration trust.
1.0 Role of the Museum Advisory Committee
1.1 To advise Council on matters relating to the Museum.
1.2 To advise and inform Council of new legislation and funding initiatives.
1.3 To advise and develop working relationships with relevant groups.
1.4 To advise and assist with the development of museum programming and
promote the activities of the Committee and museum.
1.5 To liaise with other organizations to promote the Museum.
1.6 To make recommendations to the trustees for the Annandale House
Restoration Trust
1.7 To advise Council with regard to the Community Strategic Plan.
1.8 To set out clear goals for the committee for the term.
2.0 Organization of the Committee
The Committee should be composed of people within the Tillsonburg area who
demonstrate a commitment to the Terms of Reference. A cross section of individuals
should attempt to be chosen in order to bring to the committee relevant technical and
professional expertise, as well as advocacy, communication and organizational skills.
2.1 Vacancies for citizen appointments will be advertised in local newspapers as
per the Town’s procedures for Committees of Council.
2.2 Committee members will be appointed by Council.
2.3 The Committee shall have a minimum of 7 members (1 Council
representative and 6 members of the public) with a maximum of 9 members
in total.
2.4 The term of a Committee Member is four years, concurrent with the term of
Council.
2.5 Additional members may be appointed throughout the term.
2.6 One member will be appointed by vote of the committee at the first meeting
of each term to Chair the meetings for that term. At this time, they will select
a vice-chair and secretary for the same duration.
2.7 Municipal staff shall act in an advisory manner to the committee and the role
of staff liaison shall be fulfilled by the Culture and Heritage Manager/Curator.
3.0 Meetings
3.1 The Committee will hold a minimum of ten meetings a year.
3.2 The date and time of the regular meetings will be established at the first
meeting of each term.
3.3 Meetings will have a formal agenda.
3.4 Agendas and information packages (including previous meeting minutes) will
be sent electronically to Committee Members prior to each meeting.
3.5 A majority of Council appointed Committee Members will constitute quorum
for the transaction of business.
4.0 Role of the Chair
The Chair is responsible for ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the
Committee and its’ roles. This will include responsibility for:
4.1 Calling the meetings to order.
4.2 Encouraging an informal atmosphere to encourage the exchange of ideas.
4.3 Creating an agenda in consultation with the Secretary.
4.4 Chairing the meetings to ensure business is carried out efficiently and
effectively.
4.5 Acting as spokesperson.
4.6 Representing the Committee on other committees when necessary or
appointing a delegate to do so.
4.7 The Chair shall conduct meetings in accordance with the Town’s Procedural
By-Law.
4.8 In the absence of the Chair, these responsibilities will be undertaken by the
Vice-Chair.
5.0 Role of the Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for ensuring a complete up to date record for the
Committee.
5.1 In liaison with the Chair, arrange date, time and venue for meetings.
5.2 In liaison with the Chair, set agendas and circulate agendas to the members
two business days prior to the meeting.
5.3 Circulate draft minutes to the members.
5.4 Keep a complete up to date record of the committee minutes.
6.0 Role of Members
Membership on the Committee is a position of responsibility and requires a commitment
to the Terms of Reference. Committee members are required to:
6.1 Attend all regularly scheduled meetings. Members shall notify the Chair,
Secretary or staff liaison if they are unable to attend a meeting.
6.2 Adhere to the provisions set out in the Policy for Boards and Committees of
Council. If a member has an unexplained absence of 3 or more consecutive
meetings then their seat on the Committee shall be declared vacant.
6.3 Review all information supplied to them.
6.4 Prepare information for use in the development of materials for the
Committee.
6.5 Promote the role of the Committee and its decisions made.
6.6 Offer input to committee reports to Council.
6.7 Attend training as required to effectively perform their role as a committee
member.
6.8 Committee Members are subject to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
R.S.O. 1990, c. M50 and must disclose any direct or indirect pecuniary
interest. The disclosure must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
7.0 Role of Municipal Staff
The Town of Tillsonburg, by its nature and purpose, affects and is affected by many
different Municipal departments. Assistance will be provided on an as required basis
from various departments. Municipal staff will be responsible for carrying out the
following functions with respect to the Committee:
7.1 Act as an information resource.
7.2 Orientation of Committee members at the first meeting after Council
appointment.
7.3 Assist the Committee in its’ reporting to Council.
7.4 Provide correspondence to the Committee.
7.5 Responsible for maintain accurate and up-to-date committee records and
providing minutes to Council.
8.0 Reports to Council
The Committee may advise and make recommendations to Council in accordance with
its’ role. Reports may be submitted as follows:
8.1 Verbally by a Council representative.
8.2 Written Report from the staff liaison and presented by the Chair or the
designated representative to Council.
An annual report will also be submitted and presented to Council at the beginning of
each new year outlining the Committee’s accomplishments in the previous year.